Of Mice and Mazes

News Release

The new undergraduate science wing is now using mice and mazes to understand the psychology of learning, memory, and cognition. The straight lecture has been complemented with research projects that students engineer. “Why not bring them to life?” said Jaime Picañol, PsyD, in speaking about masters such as B. F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov. “It’s iconic, echoic, and kinesthetic; it’s a multi-modal teaching system, and it’s fun.”

Dr. Picañol conducts a pre- and post-test, and students are expected to complete both written reports and PowerPoint presentations, and deliver the latter. They also design and build the mazes themselves, based on their proposed research question. Dr. Picañol is especially interested in ensuring that students understand research methodology because it will serve them as they further their psychology studies. “Labs motivate students, and we want what’s best for them.”

The labs are located in the new Title V Undergraduate Wing, complete with three state-of-the-art science labs, Smart classrooms, and language labs that surround a majestic two-story Fine Arts Atrium. Currently on exhibit is The Collection – paintings by Meme Ferré, Néstor Arenas, and Peyo Vázquez. Paintings are for sale, and a portion of the proceeds will be given to Carlos Albizu University to expand its permanent collection.